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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed a law mandating the death penalty for sexual acts of LGBT people. Photo/REUTERS
KAMPALA – President Uganda Yoweri Museveni has signed a law (UU) mandating the death penalty for acts of sex among people lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT).
The move was sharply criticized by the UN Human Rights Office, calling it a draconian rule.
The draft 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which is now officially law, was approved by Parliament in March.
The rules originally proposed a 20-year prison sentence for those who identify as LGBT, but the president returned them to Parliament in late April to draft them for revision to ensure the bill does not scare off those in need of rehabilitation.
“We have heeded the concerns (of) our people and made laws to protect the sanctity of the family,” said Parliament Speaker Anita Annet Among, in a statement on Monday.
“Among them say Uganda stands firm to defend the culture, values and aspirations of our people with the law,” he said.
Members of Parliament encourage law enforcement agencies to carry out their mandate in ensuring that the Anti-Homosexuality Law is enforced fairly, steadfastly and firmly.
An amended version of the bill, which Parliament approved earlier this month, clarifies that identifying as LGBT without engaging in homosexual acts will not be criminalized.
However, the death penalty on the rule remains. That applies to acts of exacerbated homosexuality which include having sex with minors, having sex while HIV positive, and incest.
